Deciding between GA TECH, UGA, Hendrix, St. Mary's

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hello. I've applied to five schools: UGA, GA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, HENDRIX COLLEGE, ST. MARY'S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND and UNC-ASHEVILLE. Does anyone have any thoughts on pros/cons of these schools?</p>

<p>You may be wondering why these schools. The first consideration was budget. As a Georgia resident, I qualify for FREE tuition at any Georgia public college -- therefore UGA and GA TECH were on my list.</p>

<p>I also think I 'd prefer a smaller student body (afraid I'll feel lost in a huge school), and Hendrix and St. Mary's and UNC-Asheville were among the most affordable smaller schools, plus they also had these things I prefer:
1) A high level of academics, higher GPAs and more classes taught by professors, not TA's.
2) Liberal-progressive leaning student body.
3) Social life NOT dominated by frats.</p>

<p>Also, Hendrix gives a high % of merit-based aid. (My family won't qualify for financial aid.)</p>

<p>THANKS FOR THE FEEBACK ON MY CHOICES.</p>

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<p>First off, please stop abusing caps lock and in the future decide "among" instead of "between" more than two options. Thanks.</p>

<p>You seem to prefer LACs, so UGA is incongruous. What about smaller Georgia state schools like University of West Georgia, Georgia Southwestern State University, Georgia College and State University? (I have no idea of the academic reputation of these schools, but they are significantly smaller in size.) Also, GA Tech is only worthwhile if you're going into engineering or other hard science--you don't mention what majors you're considering.</p>

<p>Hendrix, SMCM, and UNC-Asheville are all good choices. Hendrix merit aid is generous; Asheville has a relatively low sticker price; SMCM, however, doesn't give significant amounts of merit aid when you factor in the higher OOS cost, so take another look at its financial aid page. All three would fulfill your listed criteria.</p>

<p>GCSU, as mentioned above, is designated as GA's public liberal arts college and worth a good look. Since you seem to prefer the south, you might also consider College of Charleston (SC), Henderson State University (AR), Truman State University (MO), University of Mary Washington (VA), University of Montevallo (AL), University of Sciences and Arts of Oklahoma (obviously OK), The University of Virginia's College at Wise (VA). If you're willing to expand georgraphically, consider University of Minnesota - Morris (MN, but a terrific bargain with IS tuition for everyone and guaranteed NMF full-tuition scholarship) or the University of Alberta - Augustana (in Alberta, Canada). You will have to research price and merit aid on your own. These schools are all considered public liberal arts colleges or small undergrad-focused universities. Source: COPLAC</a> Member Institutions</p>

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<p>Thanks for your reply.</p>

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<p>I agree with Keilexandra -- if you think you're going to feel lost in a huge school, why on earth would you consider UGA? On the one hand, I've met several people who go to large state schools and love it even though they thought they would hate it, but the University of Georgia is HUGE. I agree with the advice to consider smaller schools -- as a former GA resident, I recommend University of West Georgia, Clayton State University, Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern University, and Valdosta State. Clayton State in particular has a gorgeous campus and they just finished brand-new, beautiful suite-style dorms. They're really coming up as a choice for a metropolitan Atlanta residential college; my younger sister and my best friend go there, as did my fiance.</p>

<p>Also, why do you have to decide amongst the schools anyway? I'm assuming that you've either already applied to all 5, or are in the process of applying. Just do that, and wait until April to decide amongst them. There's no purpose in ranking them now.</p>

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<p>You ask why we'd put a HUGE SCHOOL like UGA on our son's list of schools although small, liberal arts colleges would be his first preference?</p>

<p>The answer: FREE TUITION.
Yes, if you meet the GPA criteria and reside in Georgia, you get FREE TUITION at any Georgia public college or university through the HOPE scholarship.</p>

<p>Nuf said.</p>

<p>And why wouldn't we add a few smaller Georgia public schools onto our list? OPPORTUNITY. I mean, if we're going to send him on the HOPE scholarship, we might as well send him to a school that offers the broadest range of majors, extra-curricular activities and plus the most diverse student body. We live in Atlanta, but he wants to live in a dorm away from home, so commuting to a local school is not in the cards. A lot of those smaller LAC Georgia schools are lacking in cultural diversity and, frankly, are steeped in some of the traditional Southern thinking and attitudes that detract from the worldly educational values we have instilled in our children since they were born.</p>

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<p>You don't qualify for financial aid, yet you're concerned with cost?</p>

<p><em>sigh</em></p>

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<p>Yes, we tread that middle ground of so many in the middle class. We don't make low enough income to qualify for traditional financial aid, yet our current expenses and debt status don't permit us to budget tens of thousands of dollars per year for college. It's a common scenario these days. While we could qualify for low-interest loans, this violates our personal policy of not saddling our children with higher education debt.</p>

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<p>I raise my eyebrows at anyone who classifies as 'middle-class' but doesn't qualify for financial aid. I guess my family must be working-class, then.</p>

<p>In any event, I know about the HOPE scholarship. All I was saying is that I didn't understand why he was looking at UGA when he obviously wanted to go to a smaller university.</p>

<p>As a side note, UGA does not have a more diverse student body than the smaller Georgia universities I listed. Perhaps geographic diversity, but the school is known for being relatively conservative as far as universities go and for having racial/ethnic tensions on and around campus. UGA is one of those schools steeped in "traditional Southern thinking" and is LEAST likely to change with the times, because it's considered a traditional Southern flagship university. And if we're talking about racial/ethnic and cultural diversity, only 18% of UGA's students are students of color, whereas 62% of Clayton State's students are of ethnic/racial minority groups (and was recently named one of the Southeast's most diverse campuses), 38% of West Georgia's are, 37% of Valdosta State's are, and 55% of Georgia Southern's are.</p>

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<p>Georgia Southern creates more alcoholics than graduates, so scratch that off of the list, juillet.</p>

<p>Of those 5 mentioned in the OP, in my opinion, id make #1 GT, #2 UGA, #3 UNC-A, #4 Hendrix, #5 SMCM
But since you are looking for smaller colleges, I'd go with UNC-A out of those 5</p>

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<p>LOL @ Georgia Southern. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating the quality of any of those schools -- University of Georgia is obviously the better choice -- just saying that UGA is not the most diverse public university in Georgia.</p>

<p>I agree with your ranking system rsxwheeeeee. I'd make GT first and UGA second, and UNC-Asheville third.</p>

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<p>I completely understand about needing the merit money even though you aren't eligible for financial aid. The middle class takes the hit when it comes to paying tuition!</p>

<p>I think UNC-Asheville would be a good fit. I rule out Ga.Tech due to it being too close to home and that is one school where student happiness seems somewhat lacking. I love UGA and think it offers a great university experience, but it might be too large for your son. I also wouldn't turn it down to attend one of the other Georgia state schools, though.</p>

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<p>I don't know much about those schools outside of Georgia because I'm from Georgia. UGA and Tech are both great schools. Georgia State University (not to be confused with Georgia College & State University) in Atlanta is an up and coming school. You might consider it as well. </p>

<p>As for the smaller in-state public schools, North Georgia is a good one to consider. They have a corp of cadets that will pay students $1500 a year to participate in ROTC with no military obligation. Plus is has a beautiful campus up in the mountains of Dahlonega. Georgia College and State is a decent school, and has a great teaching program. West Georgia is also a decent university, but definitely below UGA, tech and GSU. </p>

<p>Avoid Georgia Southern like the plague. Aside from engineering and vet med studies, its not too exceptional when it comes to academics. It is a huge party school, with much drinking.</p>

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<p>If you are lucky enough to get the Hope scholarship, I would say UGA is the way to go. Although the other georgia schools are more diverse student body wise.</p>

<p>But looking at your other schools mentioned: </p>

<p>UNC-Asheville has a nice campus situated in the mountains. Although its not as liberal as UGA I believe. </p>

<p>Hendrix is in Conway, AR which has other colleges in the surrounding area. I would say it is in the good area of Conway. Many students who consider it are sometimes turned off by many of the heavy Arkansas accents. It is a great school yet the state of Arkansas as a whole I would say is somewhat Conservative still in the way of thinking. </p>

<p>St. Mary's- I would say it probably is the most liberal out of all the schools mentioned. The campus is situated right by the St. Mary's River.</p>

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<p>^ I'd disagree with pigeonriver's political characterization of the schools. Hendrix is often described as a blue dot in a red state; it is surprisingly liberal and quirky, especially for Arkansas. No Greeks, either. UNC-Asheville has an artsy-liberal reputation while UGA is known for being traditional Southern conservative. SMCM is more mainstream/moderate with lots of smart Maryland kids.</p>

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<p>well i live in GA as well and am actually just chose where to go! well i would have to say its extremely wierd that people aren't mentioning GCSU more.. first of all its the top liberal arts university which seems to be what he is looking for, it is small but not tiny, the campus is beautiful, it is not in a busy city or anything surrounding, but the buildings are all very new and pretty while UGAs dorms look like prison cells and you share a community bathroom with your hallway.. gross. (lol no offense to UGA students!) Also, GCSU is ranked highly in academics in the state after Gtech and UGA, and is about tied with GSU but GSU is just more well known and again has an urban campus which some prefer. GCSU is not necessarily really easy to get into, a lot of people go rejected this year, it has 1050-1180 for the mid 50% for SATs and the mid 50% for GPAs is 3.3 to 3.7, so its easier than UGA and Tech but is still difficult for some to get into and doesnt just accept everyone (like alot of the other schools mentioned, ga southern, valdosta, west georgia, etc..).</p>

<p>so i think that it is a really great option! its about 2 hours from atlanta so he could be far enough away, and if he wanted to get an even higher level education he could apply for the honors college there, thats what i did. i didnt even apply to uga, i visited and really didnt like how humongous it was, i like the football games and that aspect but you have to take a bus just to get around campus.. not for me.. but i am an academically good student and plan on going to med school and didnt want to have to go out of state to get a good education (HOPE of course keeps everyone in GA for the most part which is why UGA competition has gotten so fierce to get in the past couple years). and its tough to find a reputable school after the top two in the state but gcsu and gsu are very good alternatives!</p>

<p>i mean wherever you go you can get a good education it depends how you apply yourself, but if youre looking to get as high reputable degree possible and stay in georgia to get HOPE without having to go to a huge school like UGA or a really hard science/math oriented school like Tech, then i would recommend GCSU and GSU as the next two with good reps, but GSU is in the city and GCSU is not so those are factors to consider.. also if you want to be even more reputable in your degree (or if you plan on applying to graduate school) i would recommend the honors college, if you participate in the honors college you will get a lot of special opportunities and it can be a really rewarding experience!</p>

<p>of course if i could afford to go to UNC i would, but i cant. i mean the reason im going to GCSU is because my first choice was Clemson but even i cant get enough aid to go out of state and i have an EFC of 0, which is the most need you can have, the fact is that most public universities really cant meet the need of students most of the time, the fact is that i can go to GCSU and get a great education with a lot of one on one attention with professors and unique study abroad opportunities and come out of undergrad DEBT FREE, so i could actually save up for med school these 4 years since thats where all the money is gonna end up going! lol since i want to go to emorys med school and they dont have in state tuition =[</p>

<p>i would consider all aid packages and compare before deciding, good luck on your decisions! </p>

<p>(sorry my post is like an essay haha but i hope this helped!)</p>

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<p>GCSU also has the highest student rating of campus life among the University System of Georgia schools; higher in fact than U.Ga. Or Ga Tech.</p>